It was great to be around [Tony Walters] - he was like a father figure to me especially in my athletic background. That is a person I will never forget and share in all of my victories since I left there until I am done.

Boxing on Long Island - there is history there. It's been a while since Buddy McGirt and Gerry Cooney, but you know, we are in kind of a resurgence now. We are putting our show there constantly - Star Boxing shows at the Paramount have drawn big crowds over the years and there is a lot of up and coming talent there now. You see more and more gyms with competitive professional fighters.

It was great to be around [Tony Walters] - he was like a father figure to me especially in my athletic background. That is a person I will never forget and share in all of my victories since I left there until I am done.

Sure many people will be shocked when I win, but not me.

I have been dealing with those types of complicated things and my scholastic background, so I think that helps me - my nutrition and my understanding of the human body, and the processes for recovery and proper dietary restrictions.

Tony [Walters] was one of the first international world-class athlete I had ever dealt with and I was lucky enough to have him as a coach and he taught me a lot about the mental aspects of training and competition.

I have not been one of those champions that have been fed perfect guys to make me look great.